Wesleyan Grad Workers form union with OPEIU 153!

MIDDLETOWN, CT - April 22, 2024 - Today, the graduate workers at Wesleyan University delivered a letter to President Michael Roth stating that 76% of graduate workers have signed union authorization cards in support for forming a union with the OPEIU Local 153. Their new union, Wesleyan Graduate Labor Union (WesGLU), includes all graduate employees who teach or do research at Wesleyan. 

“Graduate workers at Wesleyan are the often-overlooked glue holding our programs together. We are all skilled workers in our fields, often providing labor outside of our prescribed duties such as mentoring, training, and tutoring undergraduates, managing our laboratories, or taking on other responsibilities to reduce the burden on our advisors. Sometimes this crosses a line from valuable work experience to exploitation, for which there is little to no recourse, particularly for international workers. As non-unionized employees without a work contract, we are treated however is seen fit, and told it is part and parcel for earning our degrees.

Our hope for this union is that it will provide a two-way street between us and the Wesleyan administration. One where we can communicate openly about our working conditions without fear of retaliation, and agree on solutions which protect and bolster our graduate workers. We are proud to be part of Wesleyan’s progressive legacy, and hope this will be a rising tide that lifts all boats,” stated the letter delivered to President Roth. 

Rewa Bush (MA '24, Astronomy), an organizer with WesGLU, spoke to why she supports unionizing, stating “I believe all workers should have a say in their working conditions. This is the first job I’ve ever had where I did not sign a contract. I want us to have written expectations and the ability to hold our employer accountable. As graduate workers, we are essential to the functioning of our departments. The tide is turning on the old practice of employing graduate students without providing the rights and protections afforded to other workers. I have witnessed many fellow grads struggling with unreasonable and even illegal work expectations, without recourse or safety to speak up about it. Our voices matter and become stronger when we come together.”

Katie Sagarin (PhD, Biology) delivered the letter to President Roth’s office, speaking to her experience at Wesleyan, “I want others to be protected from workplace harassment, which I experienced in my first three years at Wesleyan. The current structure of academia enables many forms of harassment and exploitation, and a union will provide better protection and outcomes for those graduate workers who suffer. Together we can raise each other up and keep each other safe.” 

Wesleyan Graduate Labor Union is asking Wesleyan for voluntary recognition by noon on April 26th. On Friday, Graduate workers will be gathering on campus for a celebration of the formation of their union.